Find out about Commercial Mail via BFPO

Authorised individuals, ie British Forces personnel, entitled civilians and their dependants (known as ‘End Customers’) based at a BFPO address, can arrange to receive goods via a UK based Commercial Operator, which is categorised as ‘Commercial Mail (Also known as ‘Commercial Receipts’)’. Family and friends (living in the UK) of Authorised individuals can also arrange for Commercial Mail to be received by these End Customers. For example, authorised individuals (End Users) based at a BFPO address, or family and friends (living in the UK), placing an order for goods from a mail order or catalogue company, possibly via the Internet, for delivery to a BFPO address.

A list of Companies currently in direct Contract with HQ BFPO under the Commercial Mail process, can be found under ‘Related Pages’ to the right, BFPO Commercial Contracts List.

DISCLAIMER:

The Authority does not endorse any Company that appears on the BFPO Commercial Contracts List in any way whatsoever, including any product(s) or service(s) they offer.

Individuals make use of these companies at entirely their own risk.

Individuals should be aware that there may be other Companies not appearing on the BFPO Commercial Contracts List who may be able to offer the same product(s) or service(s).

1. Companies who foresee a potential ‘one off’, or infrequent use of the BFPO CR System can either;

a. Physically post the article at a Post Office and pay the appropriate (HM Forces) postage rate (NOTE: using either Royal Mail Documentation (CN22/23) or ParcelForce Worldwide PFU 509 Despatch Pack). Payment for this method allows for both the shipment to HQ BFPO Northolt and the onward shipment to the BFPO End Customer, with no additional requirement for a direct CR Contract with BFPO, or any extra costs incurred.

OR

b. Utilise the arrangement BFPO has with Parcelforce Worldwide*, named the ‘One Stop Shop’ Process. Under this process, Companies contract directly with ParcelForce Worldwide (see below for contact details), who are in turn in direct Contract with BFPO. Payment for this method also allows for both the shipment to HQ BFPO Northolt and the onward shipment to the BFPO End Customer, with no additional requirement for a direct CR Contract with BFPO, or any extra costs incurred.

2. Companies who foresee potential frequent use of the BFPO CR System can enter into a CR Contract directly with BFPO Commercial (see below for contact details), for the onward shipment by BFPO to the BFPO End Customer, with prior use of either your Company’s own transport or an independent carrier of your Company’s choice for the inland journey to deliver articles to HQ BFPO Northolt.

*NOTE: Many Companies are already in direct Contract with ParcelForce for collections of goods direct from their premises for addresses in the UK mainland only.

This does not allow for the correct documentation or onward shipment (and extra cost) for despatch from HQ BFPO Northolt to the BFPO End Customer.

We recommend that you speak to your Parcelforce Representative for further information.

Companies contemplating using the HQ BFPO Commercial Mail System must;

• Read the rules regarding Mail Prohibitions and Restrictions which can be found under ‘Related Pages’.

• Adhere without exclusion to the weight and size restrictions that apply to Commercial Mail (see Maximum Weight and Size Tables below).

• Note that articles outside of these maximum weight / size restrictions will be refused upon entry at the HQ BFPO Commercial Receipts Reception Desk.

• Note that Purchase Order numbers cannot be accommodated under the electronic Invoicing process that supports the automated BFPO Commercial Receipts System and will therefore not appear on any invoice issued by the Defence Business Service, Liverpool.

• Note that BFPO will not enter into any compensation arrangements with, or make any compensation payments to, any Third Party using a company to despatch their articles to BFPO Northolt and beyond to end BFPO addresses overseas that is itself already in direct contract with BFPO. BFPO's responsibility and authority remains within the Commercial Receipts Contract with the Commercial Receipts Company ONLY. Any arrangement between the Commercial Receipts Company and the Third Party regarding the despatch of the Third Party's articles to HQ BFPO, RAF Northolt and beyond, is entirely the concern of those two parties ONLY. BFPO bears no responsibility, authority or commitment in that relationship, as its contractual relationship is with the Commercial Receipts Company in Contract with HQ BFPO ONLY.
 

Authorised BFPO customers are able to order goods from UK based companies for delivery through the BFPO Commercial Receipts Mail System. 

Please note that normal BFPO Size and Weight restrictions apply.

Please refer to the related page 'BFPO Commercial Contracts List' for names of companies in contract to send items through the BFPO Mail System.   Please be aware that this file is updated on a monthly basis where updates are applicable.

For "One Stop Shop" process enquires, please contact;

Parcelforce Worldwide

ParcelForce Worldwide
Lytham House
29 Caldecotte Lake Drive
Caldecotte
Milton Keynes
MK7 8LE

Tel: 01908 687444
Fax: 01908 687047

For details regarding a direct Commercial Receipts Contract with BFPO and all other CONTRACTUAL enquiries only, please contact:

Commercial Manager
BFPO Commercial
Resource and Secretariat
Room 1/25
HQ BFPO
White House Gate
West End Road
Ruislip
HA4 6DQ

Telephone: 0208 589 3277
Fax: 0208 589 3454
Email

For enquiries connected with an individual article or despatch, please contact:

BFPO Enquiries Team
HQ BFPO
White House Gate
West End Road
Ruislip
HA4 6DQ

Telephone: 0208 589 3450
Fax: 0208 589 3309